Wiper device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a wiper device, in particular a windscreen wiper device, having a wiper arm adapter (10) and having a wiper blade adapter (12), the wiper arm adapter (10) being provided for coupling to the wiper blade adapter (12) in the main extension direction of the wiper blade adapter (12), and further having a wiper arm channel element (14) of a spray unit (34). According to the invention, the wiper arm channel element (14) is provided for coupling to a wiper blade channel element (16) of the wiper blade adapter (12) in a main extension direction of the wiper blade adapter (12).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wiper device having a wiper arm adapter and having a wiper bladeadapter has already been proposed, wherein the wiper arm adapter isprovided for coupling to the wiper blade adapter in the main extensiondirection of the wiper blade adapter, and having a wiper blade armelement of a spray unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on a wiper device, in particular a windscreenwiper device, having a wiper arm adapter and having a wiper bladeadapter, wherein the wiper arm adapter is provided for coupling to thewiper blade adapter in the main extension direction of the wiper bladeadapter, and further having a wiper arm channel element of a spray unit.

It is proposed that the wiper arm channel element is provided forcoupling to a wiper blade channel element of the wiper blade adapter ina main extension direction of the wiper blade adapter.

By means of the embodiment of the wiper device according to theinvention, a mounting and/or dismantling of a spray unit, preferably ofa wiper blade adapter relative to a wiper arm adapter, and/orparticularly preferably of a wiper arm relative to a wiper blade, may besimplified. Moreover, in particular, a sealed and re-releasableconnection of the spray unit may be achieved. A uniform design may beachieved in a particularly advantageous manner, wherein in particularthe spray unit is arranged so as to be at least partially concealed bythe wiper arm and/or the wiper blade.

In particular, the wiper device may comprise the spray unit. A “sprayunit” is intended to be understood, in particular, as a unit whichcomprises components of a wiper which are involved in the spraying ofwashing water, such as in particular a washing water channel, a spraynozzle element, a nozzle coupling, a nozzle opening and/or the like. A“wiper arm adapter” is intended to be understood in this context, inparticular, as an adapter which has a contact region with a wiper armcomponent and is captively connected to the wiper arm component and isprovided to supply a coupling region of the wiper arm component forcoupling and/or contact with a wiper blade adapter. “Provided” isintended to be understood, in particular, as specifically programmed,designed and/or equipped. An object being provided for a specificfunction is intended to be understood, in particular, as the objectfulfilling and/or performing this specific function in at least one usestate and/or operating state. A “wiper blade adapter” is intended to beunderstood in this context, in particular, as an adapter which has acontact region with a wiper blade component and is captively connectedto the wiper blade component and is provided to supply a coupling regionof the wiper blade component for coupling and/or contact with a wiperarm adapter. In particular, the wiper blade adapter and the wiper armadapter are able to be coupled together in the main extension directionof the wiper blade adapter. A “main extension direction” of an object isintended to be understood in this case, in particular, as a directionwhich runs parallel to a longest edge of a smallest geometric cuboidwhich only just completely encloses the object. In particular, “coupled”is preferably intended to be understood as releasably connected, andparticularly preferably releasably connected without the use of tools,and namely in particular non-positively and/or positively connected,such as for example by being wedged-in, latched-in, cut-in or the like.“Non-positively and/or positively connected” is intended to beunderstood in this case, in particular, as a releasable connection,wherein a retaining force is preferably transmitted between twocomponents by a geometric engagement of the components in one anotherand/or a frictional force between the components. A “channel element” isintended to be understood, in particular, as an element which isprovided for at least partially guiding washing water and, viewed in thedirection of flow, directly encloses the washing water at leastpartially, preferably on three sides and particularly advantageouslyentirely. Preferably a main extension of the channel element is parallelto the direction of flow of the washing water and at least 2-times, inparticular at least 5-times, and advantageously at least 10-times longerthan at least a cross-sectional extension of the channel element. A“wiper arm channel element” is intended to be understood, in particular,as a channel element which is arranged on the wiper arm side. A “wiperblade channel element” is intended to be understood, in particular, as achannel element which is arranged on the wiper blade side. Inparticular, the wiper blade adapter and/or the wiper arm adaptercomprises at least a base body which in a mounted state of the wiperblade adapter and/or the wiper arm adapter covers at least the wiper armchannel element and/or the wiper blade channel element, at leastpartially, preferably at least to a large extent and particularlypreferably entirely, in particular when viewed in a direction at leastsubstantially perpendicular to a wiping surface. “At least substantiallyperpendicular” is intended to be understood, in particular, as anorientation of a direction relative to a reference direction, whereinthe direction and the reference direction, in particular when viewed inone plane, enclose an angle of 90°, wherein the angle has, inparticular, a maximum deviation of in particular less than 8°,advantageously less than 5° and particularly advantageously less than2°. The expression “at least to a large extent” is intended to beunderstood in this case, in particular, as by at least 55%, preferablyby at least 65%, preferably by at least 75%, particularly preferably byat least 85% and quite particularly preferably by at least 95%. Inparticular, in a coupled state the wiper arm channel element and thewiper blade channel element are connected together in a water-tightmanner. In a coupled state, the wiper arm channel element and the wiperblade channel element form, in particular at least partially, preferablyat least to a large extent, a washing water channel of the spray unit.

It is further proposed that the wiper blade channel element of the wiperblade adapter has a main extension which is oriented at leastsubstantially parallel to the main extension direction of the wiperblade adapter. Advantageously, a mounting may be further simplifiedthereby. In particular, constructional space may be saved. A “mainextension direction” of an object is intended to be understood in thiscase, in particular, as a longest extension of a smallest geometriccuboid which only just completely encloses the object. “At leastsubstantially parallel” is intended to be understood, in particular, asan orientation of a direction relative to a reference direction, whereinthe direction and the reference direction, in particular when viewed inone plane, enclose an angle of 0°, wherein the angle in particular has amaximum deviation of, in particular, less than 8°, advantageously lessthan 5° and particularly advantageously less than 2°. Moreover, inparticular, the wiper arm channel element has a main extension which isoriented at least substantially parallel to the main extension directionof the wiper arm adapter. In particular, when the wiper arm adapter andthe wiper blade adapter are oriented at least substantially parallel toone another, the wiper arm channel element and the wiper blade channelelement are also arranged at least substantially parallel to oneanother.

It is further proposed that the wiper blade channel element of the wiperblade adapter is at least partially integrally formed on a base body ofthe wiper blade adapter. Advantageously a mounting may be furthersimplified thereby. Moreover, in particular, additional components maybe avoided. “At least partially integrally” is intended to be understoodin this context, in particular, as an object having at least onecomponent which is connected integrally to at least one furthercomponent of the object. “Integrally” is intended to be understood, inparticular, as connected at least by a material connection, for exampleby a welding process, a bonding process, an injection-molding processand/or a further process appearing expedient to the person skilled inthe art. Advantageously, integrally is also intended to be understood asin one piece. “In one piece” is intended to be understood, inparticular, as molded in one piece, such as for example by producingfrom a casting and/or by producing in a single-component ormulti-component injection-molding method and advantageously from asingle blank. In particular, the wiper arm channel element of the wiperarm adapter may be at least partially integrally formed on a base bodyof the wiper arm adapter. Alternatively, the wiper arm channel elementcould also be separately configured from the wiper arm adapter. Inparticular, the wiper arm channel element is able to be separatelycoupled to a wiper arm and/or a wiper arm adapter.

It is further proposed that the wiper blade channel element of the wiperblade adapter is at least partially configured as a cylindrical cutoutand is provided to guide the wiper arm channel element for coupling inthe main extension direction of the wiper blade adapter. Advantageouslya mounting may be further simplified thereby. In particular, a mountingwith an accurate fit may be achieved. In particular, the cutout has atapering, preferably along the main extension of the wiper blade channelelement. The tapering in this case may be configured, in particular,continuously and/or in a stepwise manner.

It is further proposed that the wiper blade adapter has at least onespray nozzle element which is configured at least partially integrallywith the wiper blade channel element of the wiper blade adapter. As aresult, a flexible provision of washing water may be achieved. Inparticular, the wiper blade adapter element may comprise at least twoand particularly preferably a plurality of spray nozzle elements.Preferably, the spray nozzle element is at least partially covered bythe base body of the wiper blade adapter, preferably at least to a largeextent and particularly preferably entirely, in particular when viewedin a direction perpendicular to a wiping surface. Moreover, the wiperblade adapter may have further spray nozzle elements. Preferably, thespray nozzle element has at least two nozzle openings which arepreferably oriented in two different directions.

It is further proposed that the wiper arm channel element has a sealingprojection which is provided to be at least partially wedged into a wallof the wiper blade channel element. Advantageously a sealing action maybe improved thereby. Moreover, a coupling may be particularly secured.In particular, the sealing projection at least partially cuts into thewall. In particular, in a mounted state of the wiper blade channel withthe wiper arm channel the sealing projection cuts into the wall in theregion of the cutout of the wiper blade adapter. Particularlypreferably, the sealing projection has at least partially a conicalshape. Advantageously a mounting may be further simplified thereby,since such a conical sealing projection may be easily inserted into thecutout of the wiper blade adapter. Moreover, the conical shapeadvantageously prevents the sealing projection from being pulled out ofthe cutout. Additionally, in particular, a particularly advantageouswater-tight sealing action may be achieved.

It is further proposed that the wiper arm channel element has at leastone spray nozzle element which in a mounted state is arranged outsidethe wiper blade channel element. Advantageously the flexibility of theprovision of washing water may be further improved thereby. Inparticular, the spray nozzle element is arranged outside a smallestimaginary cuboid which only just completely encloses the wiper bladechannel element. Preferably, the spray nozzle element is at leastpartially covered by the base body of the wiper blade adapter,preferably at least to a large extent and particularly preferablyentirely, in particular when viewed in a direction perpendicular to awiping surface.

It is further proposed that the wiper blade adapter has at least oneguide element which, when coupled to the wiper arm adapter, is providedat least partially to guide the wiper arm adapter. Advantageously amounting may be simplified thereby. Preferably, the wiper blade channelelement forms the guide element. Moreover, the wiper arm adapter has atleast one corresponding guide element which is configured so as tocorrespond to the guide element of the wiper blade adapter. Preferably,the corresponding guide element is configured by the wiper arm channelelement.

In a further feature of the invention a method for mounting a wiperdevice, in particular the aforementioned wiper device, is proposed, inwhich a wiper arm adapter is coupled to a wiper blade adapter in themain extension direction of the wiper blade adapter, wherein in at leastone method step a wiper arm channel element of a spray unit in the mainextension direction of the wiper blade adapter is coupled to a wiperblade channel element of the wiper blade adapter. By means of theembodiment of the method according to the invention, a mounting and/ordismantling of a spray unit, preferably of a wiper blade adapterrelative to a wiper arm adapter and/or particularly preferably a wiperarm relative to a wiper blade, may be simplified. Moreover, inparticular, a sealed and re-releasable connection of the spray unit maybe achieved. Particularly advantageously, a uniform design may beachieved, wherein in particular the spray unit is at least partiallyarranged so as to be concealed by the wiper arm and/or the wiper blade.In particular, when mounted, the wiper blade adapter and the wiper armadapter are arranged in parallel and preferably coinciding in the mainextension directions thereof. Particularly preferably, the respectivemain extension directions of the wiper blade adapter and the wiper armadapter coincide with a mounting direction. Preferably, the wiper bladeadapter and the wiper arm adapter are clipped into one another by beingmoved toward one another, in particular in the mounting direction.

It is further proposed that in the method step the wiper arm channelelement is automatically coupled to the wiper blade channel element whenthe wiper arm adapter is coupled to the wiper blade adapter. A mountingmay be further improved thereby. A coupling taking place automaticallywith a further coupling is intended to be understood in this case, inparticular, as this coupling preferably taking place by a singlemovement in the same direction, in particular in the respective mainextension direction and preferably in the mounting direction.

The wiper device according to the invention and the method according tothe invention are not intended to be limited in this case to theabove-described use and embodiment. In particular, the wiper deviceaccording to the invention and the method according to the invention forfulfilling a mode of operation described herein may have a number ofindividual method steps, elements, components and units which differsfrom a number cited herein. Additionally, in the value ranges specifiedin this disclosure, values which lie within the cited limits are also tobe regarded as disclosed and usable as desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages are disclosed from the following description of thedrawings. An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in thedrawings. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerousfeatures in combination. The person skilled in the art will alsoexpediently consider the features individually and combine them togetherto form further meaningful combinations.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a system having a wiper blade, a wiper arm and a wiperdevice in a schematic plan view,

FIG. 2 shows a part of the wiper device with a wiper arm adapter and awiper blade adapter in a schematic plan view,

FIG. 3 shows a part of the wiper device with the wiper arm adapter andthe wiper blade adapter in a schematic side view,

FIG. 4 shows a part of the wiper device with a wiper arm channel elementand a wiper blade channel element in a half-sectional view in a stateseparated from one another,

FIG. 5 shows a part of the wiper device with a wiper arm channel elementand wiper blade channel element in a half-sectional view in a coupledstate and

FIG. 6 shows a schematic method sequence of a method for mounting thewiper device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a system having a wiper blade 30, a wiper arm 32 and havinga wiper device. The wiper device in the present case is configured as awindscreen wiper device.

In FIGS. 2 to 5 the wiper device is shown in different views. The wiperdevice has a wiper blade adapter 12. Moreover, the wiper device has awiper arm adapter 10. The wiper blade 30 and the wiper arm 32 may becoupled together via the wiper blade adapter 12 and the wiper armadapter 10. In the present case, for coupling the wiper arm 32 to thewiper blade 30, the wiper arm adapter 10 and the wiper blade adapter 12may be coupled together in a main extension direction, in particularlatched together. The wiper arm adapter 10 and the wiper blade adapter12 form a side lock adapter. Alternatively or additionally, for couplingthe wiper arm to the wiper blade, the wiper arm adapter and the wiperblade adapter could be couplable perpendicular to a main extensiondirection. The coupling is configured to be releasable. In the presentcase, the wiper blade adapter 12 comprises at least one actuatingelement 36, the coupling being releasable thereby.

For the coupling, the wiper blade adapter 12 has at least one guideelement 28. When coupled to the wiper arm adapter 10, the guide element28 is provided at least partially to guide the wiper arm adapter. Thewiper arm adapter 10 comprises a corresponding guide element 38. Thecorresponding guide element 38 is configured so as to correspond to theguide element 28.

Moreover, the wiper device has a spray unit 34. The spray unit 34 isprovided for a distribution and/or a discharge of washing water. Thespray unit 34 comprises at least one washing water channel 42. Thewashing water channel 42 is provided for providing washing water.

The washing water channel 42 has at least one wiper blade channelelement 16. The wiper blade channel element 16 is arranged on the wiperblade side. The wiper blade channel element 16 is arranged on the wiperblade 30. In the present case, the wiper blade channel element 16 ispart of the wiper blade adapter 12. Alternatively, a wiper blade channelelement could be configured separately from the wiper blade adapter. Inparticular, in this case a wiper blade channel element could becouplable separately to a wiper blade.

The wiper blade channel element 16 of the wiper blade adapter 12 has amain extension which is oriented at least substantially parallel to themain extension direction of the wiper blade adapter 12. The guideelement 28 of the wiper blade adapter 12 is formed by the wiper bladechannel element 16. In the present case, the wiper blade channel element16 of the wiper blade adapter 12 is formed at least partially integrallyon a base body 44 of the wiper blade adapter 12. The base body 44 atleast partially covers the wiper blade channel element 16, in particularwhen viewed in a direction perpendicular to a wiping surface. The wiperblade adapter 12 has at least one spray nozzle element 20. The spraynozzle element 20 is configured at least partially integrally with thewiper blade channel element 16 of the wiper blade adapter 12. The spraynozzle element 20 has at least two nozzle openings. The spray nozzleelement 20 is arranged such that the base body 44 at least partiallycovers the spray nozzle element 20 and namely, in particular, whenviewed in a direction perpendicular to a wiping surface. Alternatively,the wiper blade channel element could be connected in a different mannerto the base body, such as for example by a positive and/or non-positiveconnection. Moreover, the wiper blade adapter could have further spraynozzle elements which may be configured, in particular, integrally withthe wiper blade channel. Moreover, a spray nozzle could have a number ofnozzle openings which differs from the number shown here.

The wiper blade channel element 16 of the wiper blade adapter 12 is atleast partially configured as a cylindrical cutout 18. During a couplingprocess, the part of the wiper blade channel element 16 which isconfigured as a cutout 18 is provided to guide a wiper arm channelelement 14 in the main extension direction of the wiper blade adapter12. The cutout 18 has a tapering 46. The cutout 18 tapers along the mainextension of the wiper blade channel element 16. In the present case,the tapering 46 is configured in a stepwise manner. Alternatively oradditionally, the tapering could be configured continuously.

The washing water channel 42 has at least one wiper arm channel element14. The wiper arm channel element 14 is arranged on the wiper arm side.The wiper arm channel element 14 is arranged on the wiper arm 32.Alternatively, the wiper arm channel element could be configuredseparately from the wiper arm adapter. In particular, in this case thewiper arm channel element could be couplable separately to the wiperarm.

The wiper arm channel element 14 has a main extension which is orientedat least substantially parallel to the main extension direction of thewiper arm adapter 10. The corresponding guide element 38 of the wiperarm adapter 10 is configured by the wiper arm channel element 14. In thepresent case, the wiper arm channel element 14 of the wiper arm adapter10 is formed at least partially integrally on a base body 48 of thewiper arm adapter 10. Alternatively, the wiper arm channel element couldbe connected in a different manner to the base body of the wiper armadapter, such as for example by a positive and/or non-positiveconnection.

The wiper arm channel element 14 comprises at least one spray nozzleelement 26. In a coupled state of the wiper arm channel element 14 tothe wiper blade channel element 16, the spray nozzle element 26 isarranged outside the wiper blade channel element 16. Moreover, in thecoupled state of the wiper blade channel element 16 to the wiper armchannel element 14, the spray nozzle element 28 is at least partiallycovered by the base body 44 of the wiper blade adapter 12 and namely, inparticular, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to a wipingsurface.

The wiper arm channel element 14 has a sealing projection 22. Thesealing projection 22 is provided to be at least partially wedged and/orto cut into a wall 24 of the wiper blade channel element 16. The sealingprojection 22 has at least partially a conical shape. The wiper armchannel element 14 and the wiper blade channel element 16 are connectedtogether in a water-tight manner. The wiper arm channel element 14 iscouplable to the wiper blade channel element 16 of the wiper bladeadapter 12 in a main extension direction of the wiper blade adapter 12.The wiper arm channel element 14 has at least one stop element 40. Thestop element 40 is provided to limit an insertion of the wiper armchannel element 14 into the wiper blade channel element 16 in the mainextension direction of the wiper blade adapter 12.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for mounting the wiperdevice.

The method comprises a method step 50. The method step 50 is shown inFIG. 4. In the method step 50 the wiper blade adapter 12 and the wiperarm adapter 10 are oriented parallel to one another. To this end, themain extension direction of the wiper blade adapter 12 is orientedparallel to the main extension direction of the wiper arm adapter 10.Moreover, the wiper blade adapter 12 and the wiper arm adapter 10 areoriented parallel to one another such that the main extension directionscoincide with one another.

The method comprises a further method step 52. In the method step 52 forcoupling the wiper blade adapter 12 to the wiper arm adapter 10, thesecomponents are moved toward one another in a mounting direction. Themounting direction in this case is parallel to the main extensiondirection of the wiper blade adapter 12 and/or to the main extensiondirection of the wiper arm adapter 10. To this end, the wiper bladeadapter 12 and the wiper arm adapter 10 are moved toward one another, inparticular, in a continuous movement in the mounting direction. At thesame time, the guide element 28 and the corresponding guide element 38are inserted into one another. The guide element 28 is formed by thewiper arm channel element 14. The corresponding guide element 38 isformed by the wiper blade channel element 16. The wiper blade adapter 12and the wiper arm adapter 10 are latched together and namely, inparticular, by being clipped into one another.

The method comprises at least one further method step 54. The methodstep 54 is shown in FIG. 5. The method step 54 takes place at the sametime as the method step 52. In the present case, these method steps aredescribed separately from one another merely for the sake of clarity. Inthe further method step 54 a coupling of the wiper arm channel element14 to the wiper blade channel element 16 takes place automaticallyduring a coupling of the wiper arm adapter 10 to the wiper blade adapter12. The wiper arm channel element 14 is coupled to the wiper bladechannel element 16 by the wiper arm channel element 14 being inserted atleast partially into the wiper blade channel element 16. This preferablytakes place at the same time as the insertion of the guide element 28and the corresponding guide element 38. The sealing projection 22 isguided into the cutout 18 in the main extension direction of the wiperarm adapter 10. The sealing projection 22 is wedged by means of thetapering 46 of the cutout 18. The sealing projection 22 also cuts intothe wall 24 of the wiper blade channel.

1. A wiper device comprising a wiper arm adapter (10), a wiper bladeadapter (12) including a wiper blade channel element (16), wherein thewiper arm adapter (10) is configured for coupling to the wiper bladeadapter (12) in a main extension direction of the wiper blade adapter(12), and a wiper arm channel element (14) of a spray unit (34), whereinthe wiper arm channel element (14) is configured for coupling to thewiper blade channel element (16) of the wiper blade adapter (12) in themain extension direction of the wiper blade adapter (12).
 2. The wiperdevice as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the wiper bladechannel element (16) has a main extension which is oriented at leastsubstantially parallel to the main extension direction of the wiperblade adapter (12).
 3. The wiper device as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the wiper blade channel element (16) is at leastpartially integrally formed on a base body (44) of the wiper bladeadapter (12).
 4. The wiper device as claimed in claim 3, characterizedin that the wiper blade channel element (16) is at least partiallyconfigured as a cylindrical cutout (18) and is configured to guide thewiper arm channel element (14) for coupling in the main extensiondirection of the wiper blade adapter (12).
 5. The wiper device asclaimed in claim 1, characterized in that the wiper blade adapter (12)has at least one spray nozzle element (20) which is configured at leastpartially integrally with the wiper blade channel element (16).
 6. Thewiper device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the wiper armchannel element (14) has a sealing projection (22) which is configuredto be at least partially wedged into a wall (24) of the wiper bladechannel element (16).
 7. The wiper device as claimed in claim 6,characterized in that the sealing projection (22) has at least partiallya conical shape.
 8. The wiper device as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the wiper arm channel element (14) has at leastone spray nozzle element (26) which in a mounted state is arrangedoutside the wiper blade channel element (16).
 9. The wiper device asclaimed in claim 1, characterized in that the wiper blade adapter (12)has at least one guide element (28) which, when coupled to the wiper armadapter (10), is configured at least partially to guide the wiper armadapter (10).
 10. A system having a wiper blade (30), having a wiper arm(32) and having a wiper device as claimed in claim
 1. 11. A method formounting a wiper device as claimed in claim 1, in which a wiper armadapter (10) is coupled to a wiper blade adapter (12) in the mainextension direction of the wiper blade adapter (12), characterized inthat in at least one method step a wiper arm channel element (14) of aspray unit (34) in the main extension direction of the wiper bladeadapter (12) is coupled to a wiper blade channel element (16) of thewiper blade adapter (12).
 12. The method as claimed in claim 11,characterized in that in the method step the wiper arm channel elementis automatically coupled to the wiper blade channel element when thewiper arm adapter is coupled to the wiper blade adapter.